Meet the Team
Dr. Meredith Hoek
Having been born into a family of three generations of dentists has allowed me the unique opportunity of growing up completely immersed in the dental profession. I was two weeks old when I spent my first day at a dental office. My mother was a general dentist and I went to work with her everyday until I started kindergarten. This allowed me to witness the operations of a dental office from a unique perspective – growing up inside one. One of my earliest memories was Halloween when I was four years old; I was asked, “What do you want to be?” My enthusiastic reply was, “a dentist!” Although I feel that my decision to pursue dentistry was a natural evolution, if I had to pinpoint a specific deciding point, I would say that was probably it.
As the years passed by, my extracurricular activities took shape outside the office, but indirectly I was still involved. My father was an oral surgeon, so over dinner I would listen to my parents discuss cases and treatments; I’m sure that no other eight year old would have been able to explain a bridge or implant. I probably dream of restoring teeth when other kids my age were dreaming of sugar plum fairies. When all my peers were embarrassed to have braces, I was fascinated. But then, maybe that was just because I was no longer forced to eat corn on the cob!
I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition Science. In my pursuit of a dental degree, I moved to Baltimore, Maryland where I attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. While there I attained a great level of confidence in my ability to manage, accurately diagnose and treat patients. Instead of just witnessing it, I finally experienced the satisfaction derived from providing dental care to patients. Additionally, interacting with the patients taught me invaluable communication skills, such as deciphering explorer-and-suction-altered speech! Although Baltimore is the Nation’s first dental school, during my years there, it was the most recently renovated so I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the newest dental technologies. I had the honor of serving as an executive board member of the Academy of General Dentistry and a member of Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. I graduated in 2010 with the Dean’s Award for Community service, awarded in recognition of the hours I spent serving the community’s oral health needs.
My time in Maryland fostered a great appreciation for the changing leaves and four seasons but my childhood in Florida had me missing the beach. I moved to the Tidewater area where both of those climate preferences were possible. All of my background was put to good use in my previous position as an associate in a large general practice. This position allowed me to learn a great deal about practice management, insurance and financial considerations within the dental office. It also exposed me to several local study clubs where not only did I continue my education but also established relationships with specialists in the area.Currently, I am involved in study clubs and dental associations at the local, state and national level. I am a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning Study Club, Women’s Dental Network, and the Virginia Beach Dental Study Club. I feel that I have a well-rounded education and skill set at this point and consider myself to be a proficient and efficient practitioner.
Outside of dentistry, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Michael, our son, Zachary and our golden retriever, Myers – whom you might catch a glimpse of at the office as he is in training to become a therapy dog. I am thrilled to be fulfilling my life’s desires and welcome you to my practice!
I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition Science. In my pursuit of a dental degree, I moved to Baltimore, Maryland where I attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. While there I attained a great level of confidence in my ability to manage, accurately diagnose and treat patients. Instead of just witnessing it, I finally experienced the satisfaction derived from providing dental care to patients. Additionally, interacting with the patients taught me invaluable communication skills, such as deciphering explorer-and-suction-altered speech! Although Baltimore is the Nation’s first dental school, during my years there, it was the most recently renovated so I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the newest dental technologies. I had the honor of serving as an executive board member of the Academy of General Dentistry and a member of Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. I graduated in 2010 with the Dean’s Award for Community service, awarded in recognition of the hours I spent serving the community’s oral health needs.
My time in Maryland fostered a great appreciation for the changing leaves and four seasons but my childhood in Florida had me missing the beach. I moved to the Tidewater area where both of those climate preferences were possible. All of my background was put to good use in my previous position as an associate in a large general practice. This position allowed me to learn a great deal about practice management, insurance and financial considerations within the dental office. It also exposed me to several local study clubs where not only did I continue my education but also established relationships with specialists in the area.
Currently, I am involved in study clubs and dental associations at the local, state and national level. I am a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning Study Club, Women’s Dental Network, and the Virginia Beach Dental Study Club. I feel that I have a well-rounded education and skill set at this point and consider myself to be a proficient and efficient practitioner. I am thrilled to be embarking upon the next step in fulfilling my life’s desires and welcome you to my brand new, state of the art, office!
Heather
I was born, raised, and still reside in Isle of Wight County, VA and consider myself to be a true county girl at heart. I am a fireman’s wife and a mother of three wonderful, and energetic, little boys. I love being outdoors, especially on the beach in the Outer Banks, and traveling. My hobby is baking. I have a small business out of my home where I do custom cakes, cupcakes, and all sorts of sweets. I am always the one responsible for bringing dessert to family gatherings!
I have been in the dental field for 13 years and I am very passionate about my career. I love getting to know my patients on a personal basis and establishing a relationship of trust where they know that I am giving them the best care possible. My favorite part of dentistry is being involved in the transformation of someone’s smile. Helping to give someone the smile they have always wanted puts an even bigger smile on my face! Dr. Hoek and I have been working together since she started her career as a dentist and when she decided to begin her own practice I knew that there was no place else I would rather work than by her side. We share the same passion for dentistry and the compassion she gives to her patients and puts into her work is like no other. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the team here at Hoek Esthetic Family Dentistry and look forward to years of helping serve you in your dental needs.
Sam
I grew up in Suffolk and I am now a member of the Virginia Beach community. I am the proud mother of a smart, beautiful little girl. Being from a large family has made me very family oriented. I am one of six, and consider myself lucky to have all of my family living locally. I usually spend my free time getting together with my parents, siblings, and their children cooking, laughing, and entertaining each other.
I have been in dentistry since 2010. I began my dental career at a large practice working in administration. It was there that I fell in love with dentistry and realized I wanted to have more of a direct impact on patient health by becoming a clinician. I applied and was accepted into Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene.
I first met Dr. Hoek back when I was working in administration. There I witnessed her chair side manner and genuine compassion first hand I knew I wanted to be a part of her team. One of the main reasons I was drawn Dr. Hoek’s practice is that her integrity and ethics are in line with my own. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of such an amazing office.
Cassie
I was born and raised in Chesapeake, but Virginia Beach has always been home to me during the warm summer months. As a former nanny, passion to care for others is an ingrained part of my personality. That compassion has easily been applied in my current position in the dental field. I started my dental career on the administrative side, but decided shortly after that I preferred to be working with patients as a dental assistant.
My husband and I regard family as one of our top priorities, which is why I was so drawn to work at Hoek Esthetic Family Dentistry. Dr. Hoek treats each patient with the same care I would give to my own family. I enjoy meeting and getting to know each patient that walks in because it allows us to treat them as more than just a patient. I am very blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful family at Hoek Esthetic Family Dentistry and look forward to many more years of assisting in making your smile the one you have always wanted!
Stacey
I was born in tidewater and currently reside in Chesapeake, VA with my wonderful husband Ted, my teenage daughter, Hailey, and our one year old golden Retriever, Frisco. I also have two wonderful Stepdaughters, Amber and Katie. I enjoy scuba diving, camping in Frisco, NC, photographing sunsets and hanging out with my family.
I started in dentistry when I was sixteen years old as a dental assistant. My assistant training was all hands on in the office. I knew early in my assisting career that I wanted to be a dental hygienist. In 1999, I graduated from Old Dominion University with my Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. In Dec of 2014, I graduated from Kaplan University with my Master’s in Public Health. I love providing one on one patient care. Every patient is like a new canvas; together weget to create our own picture.
I met Dr. Hoek at another practice where we were both working. She left to peruse her dream of opening her own practice. Through a chain of events, our path crossed again and I am so blessed to be able to share in her passion of patient care, in this amazing practice. I look forward to many years of creating healthy smiles with Dr. Hoek.
Jackie
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan while my Dad served with the US Air Force and was raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, I live in Elizabeth City NC with my husband Bill. I raised 2 beautiful girls who are now grown. My oldest has her Masters in Special Education, is married to an amazing young man and is a teacher in North Carolina. My youngest is going to VCU for her Masters in Healthcare Administration. I am very proud of them all. Things I enjoy most in my free time are going to the Outer Banks, reading and taking long bike rides. I have been in the dental field for almost 20 years. My history is of both front office and clinical. I tried switching to the medical field, but found my passion to be dentistry. What I love the most is interacting with people and making them smile with every intention to calm any fears they may have about their dental appointment. Having started out in a small family oriented dental practice in PA, being given the opportunity to be a part of Dr Hoek’s amazing dental family is both a blessing and the best career decision I could have made here in Virginia. I have also been extra blessed with the opportunity to get to know and care for the youngest of the group, our little Zachary. I hope to spend the rest of my working life right here providing the best service I can to all of our patients.
